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Our flight was at 3:40 Weds afternoon. Denver to Chicago to London. Layover, then a quick flight to Paris for the weekend before returning to London to spend Thanksgiving week with our daughter who is spending the semester abroad.

Woke up Wednesday morning with pooch trouble. Our youngest weiner dog was not feeling well. She was very lethargic, hardly moving, wouldn't eat or pee or poop - so instead of wrapping up work stuff, I ran her into the vet. They checked for slipped disc/hip problems (common in sausage dogs), gastro-intestinal stuff, and nothing seemed out of line. So they kept her to run tests. Got home and the internet conx was down, so I couldn't finish my work. Our neighbors who are watching the house were late getting home to take the other dog, and we missed our airport shuttle and had to drive and park ($$). And then the flight was an hour late. We talked to the vet - the blood tests show that she had pancreatitis and they're going to keep her for a few days ($$$). When we got to Paris, we find that the transit workers strike is still going on (was only supposed to be for 24 hrs on Weds), so there are no trains, subways or busses from the airport to central Paris. So we take a taxi ($$$$) and the freeways are gridlock because everyone has to drive since there is no mass transit. The driver zigs and zags so much that I very nearly get carsick and was this close to heaving all over his cab. We get to the hotel around 9:00, grab a quick bite at a cafe down the street, and when we get back, the power is out at the hotel. No lights, no heat (temp outside is 30).

Not exactly working out as planned, but we are in Paris and it's gonna get better. Right?

It has to get better. I mean, come on, you're in freaking Paris!

Have fun and be safe!

make it work!



have fun rad!

You are in Paris!! It's gonna get much much better.

Have a great time!

Paris is worth it, trust me. You'll have some funny stories to tell after your trip. Put it behind you and enjoy!

(really has been some rotten luck though).

Would you like some wine with your fromage?
It's like the French have a different word for everything.


Have fun, Rad.

pop_haines wrote:Be sure to try a Royale with cheese. I hear those are very good.

Is that wine, beer or other?

Good day today. Went to top of Eiffel Tower and spent the rest of the day strolling our neighborhood. Not having busses or subway sucks, but we're making the most of it. Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and Musee D'Orsay are all within walking distance. Love the place we're staying despite the power outage - nice couple who run it (a small 12-room hotel -Hotel Valadon) and I've bonded with Othello, their beagle harrier.

the power is still out?

No, the power outage was only the first night. All in all, Paris was amazing despite the ongoing transit strike, which basically has gridlocked the city (there's mention of it lasting until Christmas). We walked everywhere, and because of that we didn't get to see/do everything we had planned (didn't get to Notre Dame, or the Musee D'Orsay for example). But we stayed in the Rue Cler neighborhood that jim recommended and it was great. Lots of markets, vendors, crepe stands, restaurants and bistros. And since we couldn't get around on the subway, we saw a lot we wouldn't have otherwise just because we were walking. Highly recommend Paris if you ever get the chance to go there. We just got a taste, and definitely want to go back - hopefully when there is no strike and the exchange rate is a tad more favorable.

Now we're in London, and my avatar change reflects what I shall primarily focused on for the next week.